University College Stockholm
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635 research outputs found
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THE NATION AS CHURCH : Sacralization of the National Identity as an opposite to the “Body of Christ”
No full textThe general impression that nationalism has built it’s ideological background, based on the instrumentalization of religion, is utterly accurate. Despite this, the majority of the nationalized Orthodox churches, advance even further by legitimizing such a distorted action, and proceeding to sacralize imagined national identities. My research intends to identify the gap of the interpretation that reflects to such phenomena as isolated. Rather, my aim is to prove that such phenomena, are the mainstream in the modern Orthodox realities, and not an exception. By comparing historically and contemporary the case studies of the Greek and Russian Orthodox churches, in a parallel with the ‘independent’ constant of Ecumenical Patriarchate, I am focusing on highlighting the mutated differences, between the national-‘theopolitical’ and the ecclesial-Christological characters of the paradigms under comparison. My findings converge into recognizing that Orthodoxy is experiencing right now (2025) the climax of such a nationalistic incline or heresy- no matter the differentiated versions,which was predicted by the Ecumenical Patriarchate since the rise of nations in the 19th century, and condemned as “phyletism”. Finally, I am concluding by identifying the ascetical struggle towards the eschaton that is required by the Orthodox communities, in order to overcome such nationalistic transgressions which are paving the way for a present and future of division and conflict for the Church- as “The Body of Christ”.
You have a point : An incipient attitude in Martin Lönnebo's early writings
No full textThis study examines the early writings of bishop and theologian Martin Lönnebo (1930–2023) in the context of the Church of Sweden in Uppsala during the 1960s. At the time, Lönnebo was pursuing a Ph.D. in Philosophy of Religion while also serving as a parish priest. Though he would later become the Bishop of Linköping and the creator of the Pearls of Life (Frälsarkransen), this study focuses on the challenges facing the church during the 1960s. Using a historical-hermeneutic method, the study shows that Lönnebo was deeply engaged with the Church of Sweden’s contemporary struggles and that his early writings directly addressed the pressing issues of his time. Topics such as secularization, biblical interpretation, the ordination of women, ecumenism, the church-state relationship, and the philosophical and theological debates around faith and knowledge all featured prominently in the surrounding discourse – and, as the study demonstrates, they are clearly reflected in Lönnebo’s work. Although the specific debates varied, Lönnebo consistently approached them with the same spirit: a peaceful openness to contradiction and an affirmation of paradoxes. This attitude is interpreted here as a form of spiritual expression or practice, where he navigated complex theological themes by accepting various perspectives as valuable. Lönnebo’s early intellectual posture has not been previously studied, and this contribution offers a new perspective on the roots of his later work and spirituality
Strategies for Peace : Managing the Armed Conflict and Climate Change in Baringo County
No full textThis study investigates the conflict management strategies employed by local and international organizations to address the armed conflict in Baringo County, Kenya, during the period 2021–2022. The research focuses on identifying which strategies were effective and which failed to achieve their intended outcomes, examining how these approaches aligned with the needs and circumstances of the local communities. By analyzing insights from seven NGO representatives, the study evaluates the challenges faced in implementing these strategies, particularly in relation to climate change and resource scarcity. The analysis is shaped by two core theoretical frameworks: Conflict Transformation Theory (Lederach) and Strategic Management Theory (Bryson), which guide the interpretation of NGO strategies and challenges. Findings indicate that community-driven initiatives, such as promoting alternative livelihoods and engaging local leadership, were crucial in mitigating conflict. However, coordination issues between state and non-state actors hindered the scalability and sustainability of these efforts. The study concludes that while local strategies showed promise, their long-term effectiveness requires better integration with regional cooperation, highlighting the need for a holistic approach to managing climate-induced conflict and ensuring long-term peac
Hope in contemporary times
No full textThis thesis explores how the bishops of the Church of Sweden articulate the concept of hope in public communication, particularly in digital media, episcopal letters, and pastoral letters,during times of societal and global crises such as pandemics, climate change, and political unrest. The aim is to analyze how this hope is theologically interpreted and conveyed, and how it relates to the eschatological and relational perspectives on hope developed by Jürgen Moltmann and Werner Jeanrond. Through a qualitative, hermeneutical method, a selection of episcopal texts published between 2019 and 2025 is closely examined, focusing on central themes such as future, trust, relationship with God, and social responsibility. The thesis shows how the bishops navigate between pastoral proximity and prophetic authority, and how their expressions of hope both affirm and challenge classical theological paradigms. In light of Moltmann’s future-oriented hope and Jeanrond’s emphasis on hope as relational practice, the bishops’ voices are analyzed as theological agents in the public sphere, with particular attention to how hope is formulated as a dynamic force for transformation and consolation in a time of uncertainty
Baptism, Purification and Magic in Late Antiquity : The Christianization of Ritual Power
No full textThe paper’s aim is the investigation of how baptism as a sacrament and as a ritual was connectedto magic. Its focus will be on early Christianity and the magical practices of that time.After the historical retrospection of the ancient purification rites that led to the Christiansacrament known as baptism and the definition of the term magic, the pillars of my investigationare: -The response of early Christian theology to accusations of magical practice. -The association of the elements of baptism with magic
The Regulation Dilemma : Analyzing CCW Discussions Toward a Justified Future Legal Framework for Regulating Autonomous Weapons Systems
No full textAutonomous Weapons Systems (AWS) are increasingly common in armed conflict, raising serious legal, ethical, and humanitarian concerns in the absence of a binding international legal framework that governs their development and use. This thesis examines these issues within the Group of Governmental Experts (GGE) discussions under the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW), covering the period from 2017 to 2025. Using thematic analysis of documents from the GGE discussions, the research investigates how emerging norms could contribute to grounding the future regulatory framework in a justified legal order. Drawing on Rainer Forst’s theory of the right to justification, the study advocates for a human-centric approach that prioritizes principles of human dignity, moral legitimacy, and accountability. On this basis, it aims to contribute to the development of a legal and ethical foundation for AWS governance through a justification-based approach that is grounded in values of international humanitarian and human rights law. Ultimately, this thesis contributes to the advancement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goals 5 (gender equality), 10 (reduced inequalities), and 16 (peace, justice, and strong institutions)
The Church as Res Publica
No full textChristianity emerged valuing horizontal socio-political relations, which it inherited from Jesus Christ, and which resonated with the ideals of ancient Greek and Roman republicanism. As the church engaged with the Roman Empire, its republican roots faded,adopting monarchical traits. Still, republicanism never disappeared from the church or the Christian Empire. In the former, it took the form of synodality and became reflected in the ways of electing bishops. In the latter, the church became a part of the power-sharing system, effectively substituting the Senate. In contrast to the stereotype that the church is intrinsically monarchical and supports monarchies, this paper argues that the original Christian ethos is more republican than monarchical. As a result, the church has the potential to enhance democracies in the modern geopolitical landscape.(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Sacred Battlefields of the Eastern Europe: The Role of Orthodox Christianity in Geopolitics)</p
Such as these : A narrative analysis on Mark 10:13-16
No full textThe purpose of this essay is to investigate Jesus’ view on children as it occurs in the Gospel of Mark. This has been done through a narrative analysis of Mark 10:13-16 with special attention to the way Jesus’ teaching on and interaction with children correlates or differs from what might have been expected in his first century Judaism context in the Greco-Roman world, and what this might tell the readers of Mark about the reasons for Jesus’ interest in the children. Was Jesus interested in the children for their own worth, or was he interested in using them as an example to make visible a model for discipleship
Defending Rights, Defying Barriers. : A Feminist Analysis of Women Human Rights Defenders in Iraq, Serbia & Sweden
No full textThis thesis explores how Women Human Rights Defenders (WHRDs) in Iraq, Serbia, and Sweden experience and respond to contextual repression across distinct legal, political and cultural landscapes. Drawing on 13 semi-structured interviews and a feminist analytical framework, including Contextual Feminism, Emotional Labour & Activism, and Institutional Betrayal, the study examines how systemic threats such as gender-based violence, legal harassment, and societal stigma intersect with institutional neglect and nationalist backlash to constrain feminist activism. In response to these pressures, WHRDs sustain their advocacy through adaptive strategies, grassroots solidarity, and emotional resilience. Their approaches, shaped by context, identity, and lived experience, demonstrate agency, creativity, and determination in navigating complex and often hostile environments. The study concludes that international and domestic protection frameworks often fail to reflect the realities of WHRDs’ work and calls for more intersectional, context-sensitive approaches to supporting feminist human rights activism. This research contributes to feminist and human rights scholarship by offering a grounded, comparative account of repression and resistance.
“God Desires the Salvation of All” – On the Enigma of Human Will and the Depth of Divine Grace : A Study of Human Response and Divine Action on Freedom, Grace, and Universal Restoration in David Bentley Hart, Karl Barth, and Eleonore Stump
No full textThis thesis examines theological discussions on free will, divine will, and the nature of atonement within the framework of Christian universalism. Utilizing a comparative method, combined with a qualitative literature review and content analysis, the research assesses the theological coherence and plausibility of positions advanced by David Bentley Hart, Karl Barth, and Eleonore Stump. Hart advocates a form of deterministic universalism grounded in the logical necessity of a benevolent and omnipotent God. Barth centers salvation in Christ alone, rejects double predestination, and presents a nuanced relationship between divine sovereignty and human agency that supports a universalist interpretation. Stump offers a relational and volitional model of atonement, emphasizing the necessity of a freely willed human response to divine grace. Together, these perspectives form a rigorous theological framework that challenges traditional doctrines of eternal damnation by highlighting the primacy of divine love and justice. The analysis demonstrates that despite their differing emphases, these theologians contribute significantly to contemporary theological debates on the scope and nature of salvation